10 FILMS TO WATCH FOR AT KASHISH 2019

The 10th anniversary edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival, presents 160 films from 43 countries this year at two iconic theaters in Mumbai – Liberty Carnival Cinemas and Metro INOX. The festival theme is ‘Over the Rainbow’.

“KASHISH this year features the best of LGBTQ films from around the world – 160 films from 43 countries. They have been chosen from over 700 film submissions. We try to bring a diverse spectrum of LGBTQ films to be shown on the big screen in Mumbai and the festival ensures a fair representation of not only gender & sexuality, but also popular and edgy films,” says Festival Director, Sridhar Rangayan.

1. JUST FRIENDS

80 min / 2018 / Netherlands / Narrative Feature

Dir: Ellen Smit

On the 10th anniversary of his dad’s death, Joris still tries to come to terms with his father’s absence when he meets the free-spirited medical student Yad, who returns back home to his family after living on his own. Although very different, there is an instant spark between the two and they want to be more than “just friends”, but both have issues with their mothers that threaten to jeopardize their relationship.

Opening Film – Wed June 12th 9.30pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

2. UNTIL PORN DO US PART… (Original Title: Até Que O Porno Nos Separe)

90 min / 2018 / Portugal / Documentary Feature

Dir: Jorge Pelicano

Eulália, a conservative 65-year-old mother, finds out that her son who emigrated to Germany became Fostter Riviera, the internationally awarded first Portuguese gay porn actor. From shock and disgust to desperately trying to understand him, Eulália embarks on an emotional journey that puts her values, expectations and perceptions to the test.

In Competition – Thu June 13th 2.45pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

3. RAFIKI

83 min / 2018 / Kenya / Narrative Feature

Dir: Wanuri Kahiu

“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives”, but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls resist and remain close friends, supporting each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.

Narrative Centerpiece – Fri June 14th 5.45pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

4. NAGARKIRTAN

115 min / 2017 / India / Narrative Feature

Dir: Kaushik Ganguly

Unable to cope with the trauma of being betrayed by Subhash, Porimal, a trans woman, runs away from home and joins a ghetto of eunuchs as Puti and sings at traffic signals to earn money. There she falls in love with Madhu, a delivery boy with a Chinese restaurant who moonlights as a flutist in kirtans. Their love blossoms while they dream of raising money required for the sex reassigned surgery after meeting the first transgender person in India who has completed Doctor of Philosophy, Manabi Bandyopadhyay. But transphobic society does not support their dreams.

Narrative Centerpiece – Fri June 14th 7.45pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

5. KATTUMARAN (English Title: Catamaran)

73 min / 2018 / India / Narrative Feature

Dir: Swarnavel Eswaran

The film’s narrative revolves around the Tsunami-affected lives of middle-aged fisherman Singaram and his orphaned niece and nephew whom he deeply cares for. As Singaram works hard to provide for his family, he also tries to arrange a groom for his niece. But she rejects the many suitors he brings. Singaram soon learns that his niece is in love with her fellow female teacher. Ostracised by his community, Singaram tries to come to terms with his niece being a lesbian. In this process, he learns to empathize with the plight of the village barber, the transgender Alankaram.

In Competition – Sat June 15th 11.00am | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

6. CALL HER GANDAK

87 min / 2018 / Philippines, USA / Documentary Feature

Dir: PJ Raval

When Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transwoman, is brutally murdered by a U.S. Marine, three women intimately invested in the case–an activist attorney, a transgender journalist and Jennifer’s mother –galvanize a political uprising, pursuing justice and taking on hardened histories of U.S. imperialism.

In Competition – Sat June 15th 6.30pm | Metro INOX

7. ROOBHA

91 min / 2018 / Canada / Narrative Feature

Dir: Lenin M. Sivam

Gokul, a perplexed young South Asian man is ostracized by his family as he tries to establish his gender identity. Desperate and unable to earn a decent living, he assumes the nom de guerre, Roobha, and walks the streets of Toronto. Roobha soon musters up a clientele. One day she is violently assaulted by thugs and left to die. She survives the attack and heals with the help of her transgender friends. Her encounter with the enigmatic Anthony leads to a rapturous romance. However, their blissful existence is short lived.

In Competition – Sat June 15th 7.45pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

8. SAUVAGE

99 min / 2018 / France / Narrative Feature

Dir: Camille Vidal-Naquet

Handsome and untethered Leo lives on the streets of Strasbourg and gets into sex work for a bit of cash. The men come and go, and he stays right here – longing for love. Even when he falls for the bitter and bisexual Ahd who works on the other side of the road his love remains unrequited. Unsure about his future, he hits the road.

In Competition – Sat June 15th 10.00pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas

9. BOY ERASED

Theodore Pellerin stars as “Xavier” and Lucas Hedges stars as “Jared” in Joel Edgerton’s BOY ERASED, a Focus Features release.

115 min / 2018 / Australia, USA / Narrative Feature

Dir: Joel Edgerton

Boy Erased tells the courageous story of Jared Eamons, the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who must overcome the fallout of being outed to his parents. While his parents struggle with reconciling their love for their son with their beliefs, Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.

Pre-Closing Film – Sun June 16th 4.15pm | Metro INOX

10. NJAN MARYKUTTY (English Title: I’m Marykutty)

126 min / 2018 / India / Narrative Feature

Dir: Ranjith Sankar

Mathukutty, a transexual wants to get out of the pressure of being a man, which mentally he wasn’t, finally deciding to undergo surgery and become a woman. He/She becomes Marykutty and his problems start when she comes back to her native place. Though her family disowns Marykutty, it is the parish priest, who gives her all the confidence. She is determined to become a sub Inspector and joins a coaching institute to prepare for the exam. In between, she earns considerable appreciation in that area, as a Radio Jockey in the FM channel run by the church but will she be able to fulfill her dream of becoming a sub inspector?

Closing Film – Sun June 16th 9.30pm | Liberty Carnival Cinemas